With the exception of an 18-month stint running daytime programming at ITV, Keelan has been with the BBC since 1995. At ITV he commissioned shows such as Dickinson's Real Deal and The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

"He has shown at both the BBC and ITV that he commissions popular, smart television with real flair and a strategic mind, and has impeccable relationships with big talent, both on and off screen," said Murphy. "At Sky the customer always comes first and he gets this instinctively. As well as being an admirable strategic and creative operator, he is a great bloke to work with and we cannot wait for him to start."

Keelan joins BSkyB as it continues to increase its investment in UK-originated entertainment programming. It has pledged to spend £600m a year on UK content and production across its entertainment channels by 2014.

"The commissioning and acquisitions teams at Sky are of the highest calibre," said Keelan. "The channel has launched some hugely successful shows across every genre over the last few years so I'm really looking forward to getting started."

In 2010 Keelan was embroiled in the furore surrounding the axing of Miriam O'Reilly from Countryfile. Keelan, who told an employment tribunal that he didn't know who O'Reilly was, chose Ben Fogle and Ellie Harrison to present a new daytime rural affairs show, Country Tracks.

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